Rapinoe Women’s World Soccer: A father’s love for his daughters

Jim Rapinoe, father of Megan Rapinoe celebrates after the US first goal in the Women's Soccer World Cup Sunday.

I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Jim Rapinoe today.

Jim is the father of Megan Rapinoe a midfielder with the US Women’s National Soccer Team who competed against Japan for the World Cup.

It may have been one of the most exciting matches in women’s soccer that ended regulation in a 2-2 tie and ended with a 3-1 victory for Japan in the final shoot-out.

There is something about sharing time in front of a major sporting event with a father of an athlete where you truly get a sense of what makes some achieve at a higher level.

Jim for the most part seems like a very quiet guy for a contractor and he wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to family. It also reflects in his eyes when he talks about his twin daughters Megan and Rachael playing soccer in the field across from the street from the house with the family dog as youngsters.

I’m sure his daughter was just as gracious in defeat today because she is a Rapinoe.

“I told Megan not to do this to me anymore.” he said speaking of the close match with a glimmer of a smile.

“This was not just a win for the Japanese players. They were playing for something bigger, for a country that really needed it after a tough year.”

Gracious in defeat because he is a Rapinoe.

Rapinoe watches in disbelief as Japan wins with a 3-1 shoot-out in the Women's World Cup

The more thinks of this match the more admiration one has for the Nadeshiko. There are fewer larger goals in history men or women than the one Homare Sawa pulled off in the 116th minute of extra time. The US did everything humanly possibly to win this …

i respect & admire us soccer ntl team in last world championship
as a soccer fan i appreciate in particular the physical ability & fitness
of megan rapinoe .
her approach to the ball on the left flank was a perfect example
of the benefits of a great soccer player.